McCain uses POW ordeal to fight housing gaffe

If you are looking for socialist policies look to Obama. His game plan is taken right out of the Marxist program, take money from those who earned it and give it to those who didn't. (Redistribution of wealth.) You call McCain a retard. What have you done in your life that even comes close to the sacrifices he has endured and the service to country he has preformed.

I suggest you look up socialist in a dictionary. Socialism is not the redistribution of wealth, as many uneducated morons on the right pretend it is, it's state ownership of the means of production - in other words nationalized industries. Seriously, if people are going to use the terms socialist, they should at least have a basic grasp of what the word means!

Wow, Devil! I agree with you completely! My dad was a POW in WWll and also received many awards for bravery, but he always chose to speak very little of it. McCain uses it for his own selfish endeavors.
By the way, my dad did not help the enemy with propaganda, as McCain chose to do, but my dad did save a buddies life while in the prison, only to be beat over the back by a heavy gun by the guards and tortured. While my dad never wanted to talk about his time as a POW, the friend he saved made sure our family knew all about it and his heroic tactics. Never once, did he use the phrase, but "I was a POW" to get his way in life and I am very proud of him!
McCain is just an old con-man, who choose to leave his disfigured wife for a newer, much much richer model ( he did lots of skirt chasing before that also). He is not I man that I want running this country. He is not a man any woman in her right mind would want running this country!

Julie,

Thank your father for us first off. Coming from the son of a WWII vet who was on Okinawa, it is wonderful to hear of a true hero for their country.

I am getting sick of McCain and his use of the POW thing too. He acts like he was the only POW in Nam.

"KWINTE" claims that Socialism is NOT the redistribution of wealth. Nice try, but if taking ownership of businesses and property from individuals and "giving" it to the public isn't "Redistribution",I don't know what is. It didn't work for the Soviet Union, and even China has discovered the merits of Capitalism and private incentive. Obama's policies seem to reflect his Socialist leanings.

They aren't taking the ownership of businesses and property away they are going to charge taxes geez. You totalitarianistic Bush people get on my nerves. The government has taken more of your personal freedom in the last eight years then the democrats have ever dreamed and now you want them back in office. It's rediculous.

Roy, I think that the fears you express of having your business nationalized or your property confiscated are unfounded and highly exaggerated. Bringing this up is a neocon ploy that prevents serious discussion of what is really at stake. That serious discussion is something that the neocons can't afford to occur. The last 8 years has their fingerprints all over it and it hangs like an albatross around John McCain's neck.

The Republicans are like Charlie Brown and Lucy.

Lucy (The Republican Party) keeps pulling the football away as Charlie Brown (The Republican People) tries to kick it, but Charlie Brown is dumb of enough to keep believing her lies over and over and keeps trying to kick the ball when she will never let that happen.

His game plan is taken right out of the Marxist program, take money from those who earned it and give it to those who didn't. (Redistribution of wealth.)

We've seen the largest redistribution of wealth in America's history under the Bush Administration. However the money is flowing up the food chain not down.

McCain's entire life is closer to socialism than anything normal "civilian" Americans have. As the Navy Brat with an Admiral father they had free housing or housing allowances paid for by American tax payers, free medical care paid for by American tax payers, cheap commissary food subsidized by American tax payers, they probably servants for the Admiral which were paid for by American tax payers, and an immediate pension equal to half his salary as soon as he retired. As a Navy Brat, he had special access to the Naval Academy (where he ended up 5th from the bottom) and got an education completely paid for by American tax payers, a guaranteed job, and the same sort of perks that his father got which were also paid for by American tax payers. Then after McCain left, it appears he also got immediate retirement pay that was also paid for by American tax payers. All these things are the sorts of government handouts railed at by Republicans. They are also things that Republicans would be against if a union or a lobbyist tried to get them for their own constituency. Of course, we know that this was not enough for him, so he dumped is loyal first Navy wife to hook up with a rich trophy wife to continue to subsidize his ambitions.

These are perks won by the military lobbies. Much of this helps enlisted and NCO ranks a lot since enlisted pay sucks, and I think that the lives of military families needs to be improved substantially, particularly for the enlisted personnel. But lets get real. At the senior officer levels, it is a lifestyle of privilege. McCain is the true elitist, not Obama.

Bravo.

Amen!

And....

Here, here.

And...

Noun, Verb, POW! LOL!

For the ulltimate in robotic politics he needs Giulliani as his VP

McCain : noun, verb, POW
Giulliani : noun, verb, 9/11
McCain : noun, verb, POW
Giulliani : noun, verb, 9/11
McCain : noun, verb, POW
Giulliani : noun, verb, 9/11
McCain : noun, verb, POW
Giulliani : noun, verb, 9/11
McCain : noun, verb, POW
Giulliani : noun, verb, 9/11
McCain : noun, verb, POW
Giulliani : noun, verb, 9/11
McCain : noun, verb, POW
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McCain : noun, verb, POW
Giulliani : noun, verb, 9/11
McCain : noun, verb, POW
Giulliani : noun, verb, 9/11
McCain : noun, verb, POW
Giulliani : noun, verb, 9/11
McCain : noun, verb, POW
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McCain : noun, verb, POW
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McCain : noun, verb, POW
Giulliani : noun, verb, 9/11
McCain : noun, verb, POW
Giulliani : noun, verb, 9/11
McCain : noun, verb, POW
Giulliani : noun, verb, 9/11
McCain : noun, verb, POW
Giulliani : noun, verb, 9/11
......

By the way, McCain was a POW and Giulliani was in NYC on 9/11, just in case you missed it.

bravo! McCain is making a fool of himself, in addition to cheapening a terrible---and shared with many others---ordeal. Giuliani? he lost his credibility a long time ago.

I had a quick conversation last week with a guy at the ballpark. I was wearing an Obama T-Shirt and he asked me about the VP pick, adding that the guy he wanted to win the primary was out of the race.

"Guiliani was my choice... the man saved entire New York City."

A part of me wanted to ask "I wasn't paying much attention on 9/11. What exactly did Guiliani do to save the city that day?" but I just didn't feel like playing devil's advocate.

You just can't underestimate the ignorance of the lowest common denominator. For these people, the POW thing works like a charm, and the shine will never fade for them.

How many Presidents can you name that did NOT own multiple houses?

You mean like the McCain camp trying to paint Obama as a "Celebrity" and an "elitist" as being a reason he should NOT be president?

The housing thing is important because McCain wants to be president and he can't remember how many houses he owns. Or the difference between Sunni and Shia. Or the economy in general. I don't know about you, but I want a president who doesn't go on mental vacations at a moments notice.

But the point of the article is that McCain goes the "I was a POW" well when he wants to avoid answering questions. He's using it as a crutch to hide is mental lapses.

Owning several properties is one thing, running to be the C in Chief of the USA and not KNOWING how many you own??? Not priceless but unforgivable.

It was McCain who mentioned it in this instance. He is flustered by the truth. So he goes to his 0old standby "I was a POW."

Kind of sickening isn't it?

I find John McCain to be in my opinion less then honorable, a bit shady, and to me seems to be an opportunistic person. That aside, the real reason this person should not ever even come close to the White House is really quite simple. This country is in an economic @!$%#hole that will take years to crawl out from. Years and years. When asked a simple question as to how many homes he owns, he does not know. Basically dealing with the economy being the largest issue facing the in-coming Presidency, how can this man sit his ass in the Oval office and know what is going on financially in this country when he can't, he doesn't, or has forgotten what is going on in his own financial world.

I am a registered independent, proud of that fact. I believe on the lines of both parties. I vote for whom I believe to be the best candidate to run this country. It is not McCain without a doubt. This man should actually retire as a Senator as well as not be elected. Time to get rid of dead wood in this country. I am not a fan of Obama, although it is he that I will stand in line for hours to cast my vote. He is the candidate of change. Whatever that change may be, I am for it just to get rid of the vultures that have been hovering around the White House for the last almost eight years. A change is good for this country, a change in this instance is a change for the better.

Please do yourself and your country a favor do not vote for McCain.

I'm more concerned that he doesn't KNOW how many houses he has, not that he has two or seven.

How can someone NOT know how many houses they own?!?

None of this excuses his using his POW experience as an excuse for not knowing how many houses he has.

Maybe former presidents have owned multiple homes, but they probably remembered how many. He is totally out of touch with average Americans and it is frightening.

Ummm . . . well, Obama. Obama is a candidate without multiple houses. Do I really need to name more?

The DIFFERENCE is that the Obamas and Clintons EARNED their wealth. McCain either Married/Inherited his wealth.

The Obamas were in debt right up to about two years ago, his successful political books have generated his wealth. They grew up sometimes on foodstamps, they understand what it means to scrape by.

McCain doesn't. We don't need another 1% favoring elitist in the White House, not now. He knows **** about economics, said it himself. His chief economist said we are a bunch of whiners and there's nothing wrong with the economy. Is that what we are going to vote for ?

I say heck no, they must GO !

James you are completely wrong on this.

All of the candidates are wealthy and own multiple pieces of property!

Obama has one house ONE. It says in the article what I found interesting they listed how much his house was worth and how much he made in the book deals. But didn't mention at all how much McCain made off all his books, or how much all 7 of his houses costs.

It is true most are richer then the normal person, but McCain is richer then most rick people.

James
The difference is that Obama earned the money to buy his house. McCain ditched his handicapped wife for a twenty something heiress who INHERITED her wealth. They have been married for 30 years, so one would think he would know what properties are in their portfolio.
You cannot come across as a maverick, man o'the people when you do the things that McCain has done and then dismiss or distract with the tired POW line.

Obama and Biden have one home each-Moron

First, just to set the record straight, I am an Obama supporter and a Democrat. Now we got that out of the way, on to the 'houses' issue. The number of houses or wealth – poor, 'earned' wealth or 'inherited' wealth – makes no difference when it comes to running the country. Most historians consider George Washington, Franklin Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson and Theodore Roosevelt among our best presidents. They varied widely in the amount of money they had when elected and how they came into it. The same holds with some of our worst presidents - James Buchanan (born poor), Andrew Johnson (poor), Warren G. Harding (middle class), Nixon (middle class). Again, the same holds for the presidents that fall somewhere in the middle – Kennedy, Reagan, Clinton. I think history will judge 'W' among the worse, but I will leave that up for future historians to decide.

Two Points:

- In the 2004 elections the Republicans focused on Kerry's wealth (and his wives') portraying him as elitist. 'W', of course, came from a wealthy family and went to Yale, but no matter, Kerry went windsurfing, could speak well and his wife was 'uppity' (and therefore Kerry was not in touch with 'real folks'). Bush was not an elitist because, well, he is not all that bright. He also has a schoolmarm wife and cuts brush. What a joke. Now in 2008, and it's the Democrats turn. It is McCain and his money that makes him 'out of touch'. He out of touch all right, but it does not necessarily have anything to do with his wife's money (or houses).

- The fact that McCain has multiple houses, while Obama has one, makes no difference. Some argue that McCain couldn't answer the question because some houses are investment properties or owned by multiple people. I doubt that was the problem, but it could be. Why he couldn't just say "We are lucky enough to own multiple properties, some for living in and some for investment"? Instead 'Mr. Straight Talk' said "I will get back to you". This has since been followed up with McCain referring back to his years as a POW (Did you know he was a POW?). The real issue is what is 'middle class', especially if it pertains to tax cuts (or tax increases). If you make over $250K per year are you middle class?

As a European, I find it more disturbing that he doesn't remember that Czechoslovakia ceased to exist in 1993 than the number of his homes. Or that he 'remembers' things like an Iraq-Pakistan border…

Or that he 'remembers' things like an Iraq-Pakistan border…

Actually that is part of his plan for remaking the Middle East. Soon there will be an Iraq-Pakistan boarder.

What's pathetic is throwing the "POW card" out anytime McCain wants to avoid answering a simple question. Either that, or he truly can't remember the correct answer. Either way, he's pathetic.

The point is, John McCain and the republicans try to paint Obama as an "elitist who is out of touch with middle America."

John McCain has no right to open his mouth now. Until just a few years ago, Barack and Michelle Obama were up to their necks in debt. John McCain married into wealth many many years ago. John McCain is the elitist who is out of touch!

James-450738...
FINALLY someone here sees the idiocy of the incessant POW comments.. it isn't the media IT R US... right here in this column making all the dimbot references.

Saying that Obama is brilliant isn't saying he is an elitist either. I think, looking at his academics, he is near genius... an idealist... MLK's lines... "I have dreams..." He does.

What we need to see more of is something that is a bit different from brains, genius... we need to see Wisdom. Wisdom isn't hereditary like a good brain is... it is LEARNED... and how can it be learned? Hands on experience over significant years... it is called heuristic learning. And it results in Wisdom.

Obama isn't elitist.. he is brilliant, mentally. Epitome of George Bernard Shaw's line that says "You see things; and you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say, 'Why not?'"

We need that. But, we need more someone who takes those dreams and knows how to make them real. That is Wisdom. That is Experience.

I honestly wish that McCain could be president and Obama vice-president (Obama needs to serve his internship... an essential).

Norsemen,

Good comments, I have to say though think of it like this.

You have a choice of two doctors, one who is low educated and got by on who he was he was 5th to the last in his class. He has 25 years experience though. He has a helper too, someone that is a sophomore in school has 2 years of experience. The helper is your back up is the first Doctor is sick.

That are you can go to one of the smartest new doctors out there, that has 10 years experience, and has some ideas for some new cures. Now he has a partner in his practice a Doctor that is well known and has 35 years of experience. He is your back up, if the first Doctor is sick.

Who do you pick?

I'm sure you'll get a break when you guys quit lying and telling half truths.

It was a great convention, thanks for asking.

Well nothing new at the convention. Just their attempt to re-package Obama...again

Considering you are asking that question at 1:36 AM, no. The convention ends at 11:00 pm.

I do and that is why I am voting for Obama!

So do I... and that is why I am NOT inclined to vote for Obama at this moment in time...

His positions on abortion at the whim of the inconvenienced mother, after-birth abortion, and stem cell research are particularly repugnant to me. His statement he is Pro-Choice indicates to me he may be a tad short-sighted on that issue. Interesting title for that group...

Choice is, of course, central. However, with contraception devices or techniques ubiquitous today, anyone with a shred of logic has to accept that CHOICE was exercised when mommy elected to engage in the activity nature designed for creation of another life without the usual precautions. (And pulezze... look at statistics on unwanted births due to rape or incest as compared to inconvenience... minuscule... and there are other options to taking an innocent life) Especially when Obama himself admitted life begins at conception.

So.... here we are again... who has dibs on life as opposed to one who feels she has dibs on selective irresponsibility?

Hey, Equal Rights For Unborn Females!

I also want to know Obama's position on Terrorist tracking, Appeasement of terrorist-sheltering countries, which Middle East Countries he wants to be our official allies, Taxes, Medicare, Illegal Aliens, Outsourcing, and the same from McCain. I am not in the voters booth quite yet.

Obama has a great wife. Intelligent, decisive, well-balanced. I'd vote for her in a hot minute.

So how many unwanted children have you adopted or are you providing foster care for?

I don't think that anyone has an abortion on a whim, it is a painstaking decision that a woman needs to make. Contraception fails you know. I am against abortion, so I won't have one, yet I do not feel the need to make that decision for anyone else. This is a personal decision to be made by a woman, not a president or congressman. If they can stop you from having an abortion- don't you think they might be able to force you to have one? Could it go that far?

Why don't we prevent as many unwanted pregnancies as we possibly can with education. IF americans spent as much time passionately talking to and educating their children on sex education issues as we do arguing about the abortion issue their would be a lot less unwanted pregnancies and a lot less abortions.

As for where the candidates stand: ck out their websites for answers.

Norseman Your abortion argument is what helped get Bush and Cheney into the White House. Seems that all these anti-abortion types have no problem with murdering hundreds of thousands or Iraqis (including babies and children) in this illegal, immoral war that Bush/Cheney lied us into. If the American people allow the Neo-cons and McCain to keep us on this same Road to Hell that they've tricked us on to, then the Americans deserve to suffer the financial ruin that the Republicans have brought on us.
By The Way: As for Regan's "Trickle Down Economics" America sure is getting TRICKLED on! In fact working America is being Shlt on by the Republicans supporting the rich and the corporations.

There are 150 million orphans and unwanted children all around the world, 60 million of those go to bed hungry every night, while 30 million are homeless and live on the streets. Maybe these people who fight for the right of a fetus should fight just as hard for these children once they leave the womb.

27 year military vet,

That was Spot ON!!

"So, on issues like National Defense, Tax policy, Federalism, Abortion, Immigration - where do you stand and which candidate best agrees with you?
(I hope every voter approaches their decision like this)"

I do, and that's why I'm voting for McCain. The only areas I don't agree with him are on abortion (I'm pro-choice) and evolution (pro-evolution atheist), while not agreeing with any candidate on immigration. However, those are state issues (except immigration) and SHOULDN'T be part of the deciding factors when choosing a President. Defense, tax policy, federalism, immigration, work incentive programs vs. social programs, oil intensive ethanol production versus alternate methods, research and invention incentive competition programs, government regulated mandatory universal healthcare vs. privatized option care systems, business regulation policies...those are all what we should be looking at. From an economic and policy perspective, the only option that I see is McCain. Obama is great at stirring emotions, but he ignores the long term consequences of his proposals, and it's obvious that the vast majority of them would end up being harmful and costly to Americans in the long run, while limiting the voice of individuals by only allowing big business to have a say in developing new technologies, granting too much control to business and government. McCain focuses on his POW status way too much, and can't read a speech with the emotional level of Obama, but his policies focus on long term change, ignoring the short term immediate change that Obama favors, short term change that always has heavy long term costs. I see one candidate who is looking for short term immediate change in his policies, in order to gain fame but without regard for long term consequences, and one who isn't as bright but focuses on real change while allowing the actual experts in each field to show the best ways to bring change. Policy-wise, what we need is someone who WILL listen to the experts, since a politician is not an expert in every field, versus someone who simply calls everyone who doesn't agree with him an elitist. Economically, from every point that the President actually influences, McCain is definitely the better choice. If the ability to read a teleprompter with strong, stirring emotions, was all that was needed in a President, then I'd definitely stand with Obama. Since that's the single least important factor, as a lower middle class American I see no choice outside of voting for McCain.

I cannot fathom the pro-lifers blindness to the killing in Iraq. A life is a life, any age.

Beckwolf,

You mean McCain wonderful policies of giving 300 Million to anyone that can come out with something to improve batteries. Remember it is only 50 Million to get Bin Laden and that is because it was doubled in 2007 from just 25 Million, and it is 1 million for a fully robotic vehicle to be able to drive for our military.

Oh that 300 Million you don't think that would go to Exxon with their new filter technology do ya? Because it would fit for the policy he put out, so does over a dozen other technologies all were being done anyway with out another 300 Million thrown at it. Lets face it though this was to give money to Exxon.

Yep real sound economy ideas and that isn't putting all new technology to businesses. Oh by the way no matter who is in that will happen it is how the patient laws are.

For your health care issues, if you think that private works you should go work for one of the companies. I have worked for many of them and watched people be denied not because they didn't need the care because the company didn't think they were paying enough per month to get treatment. Yep that is a great policy isn't it, keep the same system that has made America one of the worst in Health care in the Modern World.

Exxon bought out that company that developed that green tech. Place your bets on when they'll actually bring it to market.

They buy out anything that reduces the sale of oil, claim they invented it, then put it on a permanent R&D bench in some musty office.

"You mean McCain wonderful policies of giving 300 Million to anyone that can come out with something to improve batteries. Remember it is only 50 Million to get Bin Laden and that is because it was doubled in 2007 from just 25 Million"

Yes, that's a piece of what I mean, it merely needs to be largely expanded upon. Definitely it needs to pay out more than information about a terrorist, we can't ignore improvements here at home because of a hunt for one terrorist.

"Oh that 300 Million you don't think that would go to Exxon with their new filter technology do ya?"

That doesn't even make the slightest bit of sense. I'm talking about the private individual incentive competition programs, such as the one that produced the private space shuttles currently in use and the new composite material that came with it, which is being incorporated into everything from vehicles to factories to home equipment. Of course, if a company designs it, then why on earth would they NOT be due that same figure that the individuals who designed the shuttle were provided?

"For your health care issues, if you think that private works you should go work for one of the companies. I have worked for many of them and watched people be denied not because they didn't need the care because the company didn't think they were paying enough per month to get treatment. Yep that is a great policy isn't it, keep the same system that has made America one of the worst in Health care in the Modern World."

Seems you didn't bother reading his proposals then, because that's nowhere close to what is being said. It's a drastic change from the care policies and practices we're stuck with today. A good suggestion would be to actually read the candidate's policies, and THEN form your opinion. I DO think that private works, unfortunately we are stuck with this horrible government regulated system (making it much, much more of a government system than private, we're nowhere close to a private health care system) we have today that leads to denied care and high costs. Making that same failed system grant approval to everyone without any change in the costs or setup of the system outside of an increase to government regulation fees and forced zero-option policies is nothing more than a disaster in the making that will drive people into the poor house and send small businesses running. Now there's a great policy isn't it, keep the same system that makes American health care so poor, and jack up costs while forcing it upon EVERYONE. Brilliant, make the poor poorer and small businesses non-existant, sounds like a winner to me...take a failed system and make it even WORSE by making it mandatory and limiting coverage options.
I'd rather change to an ACTUAL privatized system that requires coverage to everyone, but it's the individual that chooses the plan and thus the cost, allowing the poor to obtain better coverage with a lower expense. It's a universal system that allows everyone to be covered, but grants the individual the right to choose the coverage, or even to not be covered, while still granting guaranteed approval should they choose to take it. Now which is really better, guaranteed coverage at a level you want if you choose to take it, or taking only what the government says you can have at whatever price they want to make you pay? It really should be a no-brainer, privatized (NOT what we have now) is better for the individual AND business.

Yes, that's a piece of what I mean, it merely needs to be largely expanded upon. Definitely it needs to pay out more than information about a terrorist, we can't ignore improvements here at home because of a hunt for one terrorist.

I love how you ignored the Fully Robotic Military Vehicle system that by law had to be completed I believe by 2009 and that has only a reward of 2 Million dollars to it, I was wrong before because at first it was only 1 million, it was awarded in 2005 to Standford. How can a battery cost more then that, let alone a battery that "works better then today versions", what does that mean that if it works for one second more it counts, there was no restrictions to his amount given.

The cost of the "Global War on Terror" according to the DOD is 572.5 BILLION. So Bin Laden has already cost much more then that battery but it is silly that his reward is only 50 Million. But what is more silly is again saying 300 Million for a battery that lasts one second longer.

For the Exxon comment I guess you don't watch TV, there has been a commercial on every since John McCain made that statement. It says they have some filter that improves the life of the batteries used in Hybrid Vehicles. Now by that statement they would be able to get the 300 Million. Also McCain never said they had to use the technology only come up with it. You think that is a Good policy?

What your talking about are programs that have helped to get some teams in but NONE of them are as high as 300 Million.

Here are the ones you talked about for Space flight. NASA division unveiled a $250,000 prize for the first team to devise a practical way of converting lunar soil compounds into breathable oxygen, this was in 2005. Also in 2005, the office announced four $100,000 prizes for advances in beam-power and space-tether technologies.

Yes that is Hundred of thousand of dollars not even One million. But a side not to get a ride on those new spaceships. Virgin Galactic, reports that nearly 100 people have made reservations for tickets selling for $200,000 each. Yes more then the reward was is just one ticket. All this can be found here link.

So please have an idea of what those programs give away before you want to throw our Tax Dollars away and borrow more from China.

On Health Care I have read his policies and it won't change a way that the system works. They are in business to make money, they will use fake SS Numbers just so they get more money then deny the person because they are illegal though they were paying. I have seen it happen. You think everyone is approved for what ever they want? You are nuts, and have no facts to back that up. America pays more for health care then any other country per person, yet we are only number 47 Globally in Health Standards.

So lets look at McCain's plan, he has it listed that an individual can get a tax credit of 2,500 for health insurance, a Family would get 5,000 a year. This is laughable to me, an HMO of the lowest level for any health company costs at least 8,000 a year and that is for someone in perfect health. For a Family the average cost of providing health care for a family of four annually is more than $12,000, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. So all those families have to do is come up with an extra 7,000 a year and they should be fine. Oh that is average too, lets not even talk California costs.

To pay for this he will cut the Tax break for companies that give insurance meaning no company will give insurance. Now your for an incentive program for a battery that is 300 times more then an average incentive program, but your against it for health care interesting.

Maybe you should do more research before saying others haven't.

To Norsman.....are you kidding me. Pregnancy results when the 'mommy' didn't use contraception!!! Where was the 'daddy', or are all unwanted pregnancys 'emaculate conception.. There are usually TWO people involved during intercourse, or didn't you know that! Are you in a time warp, this is the 21st century not the 19th. Get with the program, drag your small mind into the present. I'd bet if men got pregnant, we'd have drive thru abortion, and someone else to raise the children born til they graduate high school.

but it's okay to skim the top when it gets him out of answering for his political positions?

Well RhondaRichard... you think that an Officer in the service can simply say "no" to his commanding officer, who, in turn, has to obey his superior up the ladder??? And guess, dear, WHO WAS PRESIDENT at the start of Vietnam!!!!

Lyndon Johnson, Democratic president of the U.S.A. (combat began 1965)

And guess who ENDED the Vietnam War in 1974? RICHARD NIXON, Republican President.

Get the facts RR before you post nonsense... and when you call someone treasonous.. I wonder.. were you in Canada 1950 to 1953, during the Korean War? Or were you one of the evaders forgiven by Gerald Ford, another Republican president after Vietnam in 1975? (Conscription was cancelled during that Republican term of office.)

And, what really worries me are people like you. When the next terrorist attack strikes, and the puppet-master Muslim is located just north, say, of Israel tooling up for the next attack... where will you be when our military is mustered to get him before more of our civilians over here are destroyed. Under some handy dandy table?

Norseman

You leave out information as to why it took from 1965 to 1974, all the shenanigans, and the rest of Nixon's wonderful deeds. History before and after a fact sometimes indicate why one thing or another was done.

If 'the next terrorist attack' were to occur right now, in this country, where would you raise the military needed - right this instant - for OUR national security? If you truly want to scare people, let them think about that for a minute.

That is right capitol. Norseman leaves out the details he choses.

He wants to be a McHero, but heroes don't whine.

McCain is not in touch with reality. He is off is some surreal right wing nightmare trying to blame it on his POW experience.

He is like every other person who owns 7 houses! :-)

No disrespect to his being captured. But WHY, WHY hasn't ANYONE questioned him as to how his being captured equate to modern times or the problems we face as a nation today?

Mr. Bee, I couldn't agree more.
The disgust I feel for McCain has nothing to do with the fact he has several houses. In fact, I am envious that he and his wife have the monetary ability to have several homes. However, the problem I have with McCain is that he has spent a great amount of time trying to paint Obama as an elitist. This is the proverbial "pot calling the kettle black". I find it hypocritical for McCain, with all of his wealth, to call anyone an elitist.
As for being a POW, I have the utmost respect for John McCain. I can't imagine what he went through. However, that doesn't qualify him to be president. And McCain using the fact he was a POW to try and explain why he has so many homes, is just plain sickening.

AND.......do not forget that he is remarried to a beer heiress worth at least 100 million dollars! For them to say that Obama is the elitist is ridiculous!!!!!!!!

"He [McCain] was no more privileged than Michelle Obama."

That's rich. McCain's grandfather and father were admirals in the Navy. John grew up on government money with all the benefits afforded the family of an Admiral, was educated at USNA (at taxpayers' expense) and probably got into the academy because of the 'family business.' The second time, he did marry well - (google Hensley-Marley-Lansky) to his advantage.
Michelle Obama's family lived in a one-bedroom apartment. Her father worked, despite illness, and provided for his family. The kids studied to get their education - scholarships.

How do you know their condo was 'elite?' Goodness.

This housing 'not a story' is more about his capabilities to remember or have info at hand mentally than it is about who else owned what or how many. If he doesn't have a clear idea of his own personal life, how can he deal with the complexities of running a country 24/7?

Please, Michelle Obama, grew up on the south side of Chicago. Her dad was a blue collar worker. John McCain's dad was an admiral in the Navy and owned oil leases. I don't think that is in the same league.

McCain attended a private boarding school during his high school years. I don't think his family ever qualified for food stamps like Obama's.

People who live in glass houses ..... He should not have started this Obama is not in touch with common people knowing he had that many residence at his disposal no matter who owns them on paper. This goes to the thought What the hell was he thinking? This was a bad idea from the start and he is now paying for it. Its not about how many houses he owns its about a bad decision he made and his failure to think on his feet when asked a non scripted question. I mean in a few short weeks he has already passed Bush in Bushisms and the real race has not started yet. This crazy answer proves even after he has been shown this matter hurt him he is not intelligent enough to go on national tv prepared to answer the question. Something like this would have sufficed "You know John in the heat of the press asking you so many questions in rapid fire you sometimes have to grasp for an answer. When the reporter asked that question I did not know if he wanted me to tell him how many I owned or whether he wanted primary or investment properties. I referred him to my staff so he could ask the question properly. The fact of the matter is I own one house and we together own several investment properties....

LogDump.

Have you EVER been to South Side Chicago? If not, please stop talkng about things that you cant' relate to.

natilda-your post shows your ignorance of the facts.

As a former Hyde Parker, the thought of Hyde Park as a particularly "affluent" neighborhood is laughable! On the other hand... there is Woodlawn :(

"He was no more privileged than Michelle Obama. (We all know that Obama's family- both sides- were pretty well off to be jet setting to Hawaii from Sudan and to allow him to be schooled at one of the most elite private schools in the country in Hawaii...) "

Wrong! First, Michelle Robinson's family was a middle-class working family. Her father worked hard to support their family even though he suffered from M.S.. Nothing elitist about that!

Second, Barack Obama's father was from Kenya, not Sudan. He went to Hawaii because the University of Hawaii gave him a scholarship to come study in America. Nothing elitist about that!

Third, Barack Obama went to that private school in Hawaii because he was given a scholarship to go there. He was raised by a single mother who had to work AND go to school at the same time. Nothing elitist about that!

nobody belittled his POW experience. We only said he's going to that well too many times.

The gaffe was not in owning the home3s: The gaffe was in the hypocrisy not knowing how many homes he has. He has been trying (and failing) to paint Obama as an elitist out of touch with average people, but in truth shows that it is he who is out of touch with the average person. Therein he has shown himself to be a hypocrite.

I cannot tell from the writing of this article just exactly WHEN in the interview AFTER the homes topic the POW remark occurred. We already know the article is dishonest because it states, "Candidate who miscounted homes..." when no such thing occurred.

Too bad those who lie and distort in the press, inserting phony "fact" aren't subject to some sort of penalty (unless they fabricate an entire story line, like the NY Times reporter).

And, yes, I understand the nuance re. "going to the well..." But I view some of these discussion comments as belittling.

Good on you, kscolorado. These Petty Posters seem to be legion, but, really they aren't. If all they can think of are houses and McCain's honorable war record, mentioned in his bio, the PPs simply rank their own position on the bell curve ROFL.. and trust me... it looks to me as if they are tumbling down the left side of it :)

Oh please we did not make these mistakes your man did. You guys trying to smooth over an obvious political gaff is only adding to his mistakes. First he gets caught with his pants down on a light question anyone should be able to answer which could have easily been deverted. Then even knowing he may get the same question again he goes on national TV and spouts off an answer worse than the first. Dosent give me any confidence that under pressure in the presence of other world leaders could he stand up. Not the kind of person I would like leading this country.

I cannot tell from the writing of this article just exactly WHEN in the interview AFTER the homes topic the POW remark occurred

It was a separate interview, on a different day, as if that should matter somehow.

But really, go out and survey 100 - 1,000 ... no 10,000 people, and see if you can find someone who doesn't know how many homes he owns. Yet John McCain extolls his being in touch with the average American.

John McMarketing, that's who he's turning out to be.

"gaffe??? what gaffe??? All he said was that he would have his staff check"

Those in 7 glass houses shouldn't throw bricks. McCain has been calling Obama an out of touch elitist for months, yet guess who the real out of touch Elitist is ...

Its a fair point.

gaffe??? what gaffe??? All he said was that he would have his staff check

What's even funnier is his staff can't decide on what the right answer is. Depending on who the media talks to the answer has been 7, 8 or 9. Seriously. How hard of a question is it?

If you consider it advertising click the little ! down there next to reply a drop down will appear with advertising in it click it and the moderator will make a decision.

Yes anyone who thinks Michelle had it easy needs to take a trip to the southside of Chicago. Its one of the most dangerous inner cities in America.

I don't want to fly in a 72 year old plane with a faulty engine that is not hitting on all pistons.

A very good analogy.

It was way too easy! :-)

yea, or a 72 year old surgeon? I am sure you guys would choose the 72 year old lawyer to represent you in court too.

excellent point.

Faulty comparison.

I cannot make sense of your comment.

How does that make sense? The Obama's are the American Dream. You will vote for a guy who left his disabled wife who stood by his A$$ while he was a POW. Let us not forget he was caught up in a corporate scandal. MCBUSH WAS ONE OF THE KEATING 5. McBush didn't go to jail because of who he was married to. McBush is not of the people of this country, he is of the corperations of this country. I have one home that I'm trying to hold on to, and one car I'm trying to keep gas in so I can drive my kids to school. McBush and his wife talk about how their mode of transportation is that of a private plane, and don't know how many homes they have. I don't know about you, but this guy or his family don't look like mine or know what me or my family struggle with everyday to survive these difficult times.

WAKE UP AMERICA!!!

Christal
Casa Grande, Arizona

"How does that make sense? The Obama's are the American Dream."

Not mine...
Maybe if I was rich and could afford to ride out his horrible proposals, but since I'm not there's no way I could vote for him, despite his ability to "stir emotions." I'll have to vote for the vote who drives for work incentive programs to reduce dependency on pure social programs, allowing people to work out of poverty instead of Obama's plan to throw them bread crumbs, merely keeping them alive but never allowing any opportunity to move up. I've been in the gutter, and I can't imagine voting for someone who talks about helping them while proposing ways to do nothing but keep them where they are. I'll vote for the one who focuses on development incentives that allow EVERYONE to contribute new technological and design ideas through competition based systems, allowing the little people to have a voice instead of Obama's stance that only allows big business to design new techologies. I'll vote for the one that doesn't have unbelievably strong ties to the environmentally destructive corn ethanol program, where it takes THREE gallons of oil to produce ONE gallon of highly inefficient ethanol. I'll vote for the one who doesn't push for a government regulated, cost heavy mandatory health care system, which takes away all options for people while forcing them to pay into any heavy cost the government deems necessary, versus a privatized system that allows for more options at a vastly cheaper cost to the individual. The only reason to create a mandatory universal health care system is to brag about how you provided everyone health care, just ignore all those starving people in the corner who are paying more than they can afford because of it, and all those small businesses going under.
The Obama's may be YOUR dream, but they are not the American Dream for those poor who would be held down because they have no work programs provided, they are not the American Dream for those small businesses he would drive under, they are not the American Dream for those who can't afford inflated consumer costs which would be the consequence from his promises to rob from the rich. They ARE the American Dream for the major ethanol companies, they are for the oil companies that would see US demand increase dramatically from further production of oil intensive ethanol, they are for the rich that can afford higher costs but want to convince themselves that feel good politics are magically working while they actually ignore those who are suffering, they are the American Dream for the major corporations that would continue to be allowed to be the sole voice for new technologies, allowing them to regulate and hold back as they see fit.
Since I've been at the bottom, since I'm only marginally into the middle class even now, Obama is most definitely NOT my American Dream. Mine involves helping the poor to move up instead of holding them in place, mine involves everyone contributing with new ideas, mine involves options for health care at cheaper costs, mine involves reducing dependence on oil, mine involves big business not holding control over new technologies, mine involves lower consumer costs through helping business to boost during tougher times instead of raising costs through taking when profit lines are already decreasing. In short, my dream is the opposite of Obama's proposals, while at the same time being close to the things he falsely promises, the promises that in no way actually mirror his policies.

Obama was a kid during Vietnam. Besides, what does military experience have to do with being president?

Like Bush maybe whom you probably voted for twice. Get real

Beckwolf

How about backing up some of your post with facts and sources.

"No Just check this out I know who I am talking about it was your man who had the nerve to stand in front of a room full of service men and use his record he forget how he had voted for our boys.

McCain votes AGAINST our combat troops ...

5/2008: McCain voted AGAINST the Webb GI Bill.

9/2007: McCain voted AGAINST bill to minimize periods of time between deployment of units sent to Iraq.

5/2006: McCain voted AGAINST $20 Million to VA for health care facilities.

4/2006: McCain voted AGAINST $430,000,000 to VA for Medical Services.

3/2006: McCain voted AGAINST increasing Vet-medical services $1.5 billion in FY2007.

3/2004: McCain voted AGAINST increasing Vet-medical care by $1.8 billion.

10/2003: McCain voted to TABLE an amendment for $322,000,000 for safety equipment for USforces. "Table"= vote never hits floor.

10/2003: McCain voted to TABLE a vote for $1 Billion for National Guard and Reserve Equipment in Iraq dueto:shortage of helmets, tents, bullet-proof inserts, & tactical vests.

Here's your test MSM -- will YOU all inform the viewers/voters of McCain's ANTI-MILITARY voting record?

c. proffit, Lexington, Ky. (Sent Friday, July 18, 2008 4:08 "

Of course they won't, it goes against their Narrative(TM)

=============
McCoy R.Where is Obama Osama MILITARY back ground?

I will wait for his Enlistment back ground from the MEDIA!

He's a lited ok! AWOL - in Action from helping his own BlACK brothers ?

Being a POW is far better then AWOL !

Someone with real guts recieves my support,

============================

Just checked and thankfully the US isn't yet a military dictatorship, so your point is rather pointless.
Was Reagan a vietnam vet ? Did he have 27 years experience in the Senate ?
Get back to me please, thanks !! :) :)

Beckwolf-Obama and his wife both have worked to help the poor and have created programs to help the needy---how you can even say what you did is crazy!
McCain never did any of these things. He is so far out of touch with the real world and so are you if you do not see this.
Just because you are a Republican does not mean you MUST vote that way everytime!! Wake up and do what is best for the USA!!

"Beckwolf
How about backing up some of your post with facts and sources."

Ok. What wasn't a fact and what source is it you seek? Somebody said that Obama was the American Dream, without any facts or sources (seems to be only about half of America's dream), and I responded that as a lower middle class citizen he wasn't mine, that I don't agree with the vast majority of his economic policy promises, finding them to be harmful. There are no sources there outside of simply reading Obama's policies. Need those versus listening to him make a bunch of promises, simply look them up, and you'll have the facts and sources. There really is only one source here, and that is Obama himself and HIS proposals. I'm not going to copy his proposals down and simply post them here, you're talking about hundreds of pages. Just look them up and you'll have every fact I've gone off of. Past reading the policies themselves, the rest is simply common sense, a basic understanding of consequences for actions.
And if you were referring to ethanol, that is also extremely easy to look up, it shouldn't take you more than thirty seconds to find that answer from a variety of sources. Oil is used in production, you can't simply turn corn into ethanol without it running through a production facility, which requires oil. With our current technology, it takes about three gallons of oil in production to produce one useable gallon of ethanol. The majority of US oil demand is from material production, NOT from automobile use, and relying on an alternative fuel that requires more oil to produce than simply using that oil in our cars is counter-productive on every level. Again, it's just a fact that is unbelievably easy for you to verify. With Obama's proposals, it's just as easy to verify, but it comes down from there to your interpretation of those policies and ability to predict through what happens as certain amounts are transferred from certain groups in certain situations (taking into account timing, as for example, taking from big business when profit lines are increasing to maintain a steady line versus taking when lines are already decreasing and causing compensatory charges to the consumer...same proposal, different consequences based on timing). It comes down to whether you can see the full circle of what happens to every group when one group sees a change. And then of course with regards to things like social programs versus work incentive programs...the proof is also there in Obama's proposals. NO work incentive programs for those who can work but can't get a job because they're homeless, which means that they have no means to ever work up and out of poverty. McCain relies heavily on those work incentive programs that give the poor a resume to go off of. Same with everything else I mentioned, it's strictly based on the FACTS of Obama's proposals versus McCain's. Look those up, it's something everyone should be basing their vote off of anyway instead of speeches and promises, and you'll have every source I needed to state my facts.

I guess you think any one not in the military is un-American. There are other ways of serving this country besides your narrow view of what a patriot is.

1. "I'll have to vote for who drives for work incentive programs to reduce dependency on pure social programs."

That would be Obama:

I couldn't really find anything specific to poverty on johnmccain.com.

2. "I'll vote for the one that doesn't have unbelievably strong ties to the environmentally destructive corn ethanol program."

That would be Obama:

McCain believes Ethanol is fantastic:

3. I'll vote for the one who doesn't push for a government regulated, cost heavy mandatory health care system, which takes away all options for people while forcing them to pay into any heavy cost the government deems necessary, versus a privatized system that allows for more options at a vastly cheaper cost to the individual.

If you want to save money and get better care, the facts say you should vote for universal care:

4. " involves helping the poor to move up instead of holding them in place, mine involves everyone contributing with new ideas, mine involves options for health care at cheaper costs, mine involves reducing dependence on oil, mine involves big business not holding control over new technologies, mine involves lower consumer costs through helping business to boost during tougher times instead of raising costs through taking when profit lines are already decreasing."

If that's your dream you should be voting for Obama. What you want is what most Americans want, and once you put aside your personal biases and look at things objectively your choice is clear. Believe the McCain political commericals if you like, but when you end up getting the exact opposite of what you want you'll have no one to blame but yourself.

Having military service doesn't give you the ability to run the country. Check out our current White House resident! He can't even run a business! Anyway the draft ended in 1973 and Obama wasn't old enough to serve until 1979. There are a lot more ways to serve your people, country & the world than holding a rifle! When did you serve! Have you been to a VA hospital lately to see the kind of treatment the vets get, I have.

McCain says he knows how to win wars but he didn't win any wars he spent 5 years in a POW camp and then came home and cheated on his wife. I thought the first priority of a POW was to escape and make it difficult for your captors? Some family figure this guy is, what about all the military personel who were killed in Vietnam. Do you know all about the number of planes McCain crashed & destroyed while in was in the military?

McCain carries his wife's pocketbook with all her money in it and changes his mind & says whatever will work at the time. He's just another Bush warmonger that will continue to allow the middle income people in America to suffer while he & his buddies get richer.

"1. "I'll have to vote for who drives for work incentive programs to reduce dependency on pure social programs."
That would be Obama:
I couldn't really find anything specific to poverty on johnmccain.com.
2. "I'll vote for the one that doesn't have unbelievably strong ties to the environmentally destructive corn ethanol program."
That would be Obama:
McCain believes Ethanol is fantastic:
3. I'll vote for the one who doesn't push for a government regulated, cost heavy mandatory health care system, which takes away all options for people while forcing them to pay into any heavy cost the government deems necessary, versus a privatized system that allows for more options at a vastly cheaper cost to the individual.
If you want to save money and get better care, the facts say you should vote for universal care:"

Saying "that would be Obama" after all my comments doesn't make that true. Work incentive programs are most definitely NOT something Obama supports, that's been a very, very strong Republican issue. Obama is pushing for improvements and increases in social programs that provide aid WITHOUT job opportunities. HUGE difference.

Wait, wait, so you're saying that McCain supports ethanol, and Obama is against it? Ummm, you reeeeally haven't paid attention to this election, have you? Obama has very strong ties to ethanol, devoted several weeks to pushing for ethanol through speeches and commercials. He holds honorary status within the three major ethanol corporations, considering the push for ethanol as one of his strong presidential policies. You seriously have your statement completely backwards.

And the facts most certainly do NOT say that you should first vote for Obama's universal health care. Well, first, there's a STRONG difference between universal and mandatory. Mandatory, as in Obama's and Hillary's both, makes insurance coverage a mandatory for every citizen, whereas universal makes it an OPTION for everyone who wants it. Obama is pushing for a mandatory universal health care system controlled and regulated by the government. McCain is pushing for a privatized optional universal system which guarantees availability for every citizen who chooses to join a plan, with multiple options and varying price levels to choose from. I will vote for a privatized option based universal system over a mandatory high government cost system any day of the week, and the facts show that if you want to save money and get better care, a government controlled mandatory system is NOT the way to go. We already have a system with high government regulation costs, expanding upon that would only make it much, much worse. If you can't afford insurance now, what makes you think that forcing people to pay those same, if not higher, costs will suddenly make it affordable? Forced does not mean cheap.

"If that's your dream you should be voting for Obama. What you want is what most Americans want, and once you put aside your personal biases and look at things objectively your choice is clear. Believe the McCain political commericals if you like, but when you end up getting the exact opposite of what you want you'll have no one to blame but yourself."

That IS my dream, which is why I will NOT vote for Obama. What I want is what most Americans want, but many Americans believe false promises and ignore the actual proposals written in favor of buying into feel good speeches that do nothing but stir emotions. I strongly believe that many will vote based on nothing more than promises, without reading actual bills and proposals, and they will thus be voting for something they don't want. All of my biases are put aside, all personal opinions ignored, in favor of throwing out the names of which candidate wrote which policy, and simply choosing the best policies and only THEN seeing who created them, making my choice only after picking the best proposals.
McCain won that test hands down, I am waaaay to low on the income bracket to afford Obama. Believe the Obama commercials all you want, I ignore the Obama commercials AND the McCain commercials. Getting the opposite of what I want would be for Obama's proposals to be allowed, plain and simple. My entire decision to vote for McCain is based on nothing more than those proposals. Commercials, speeches, false accusations of racism or wanting to continue a war, promises, ads, phone calls...all are ignored and ONLY proposals are taken into account for my decision with who to vote for. My choice is clear, but if people vote for Obama and see that very few of his promises match any of his proposals, and quite a few take an entirely different direction, while at the same they hold rather expensive and environmentally harmful long term consequences, they will have nobody to blame but themselves for falling for emotional speeches and basing a decision on that which has nothing to do with what a person's actions as President would be.
If I get the opposite of what I want, those to blame will be those who have been easily suckered into voting in the other direction, not myself. Maybe you should try ignoring the hype, the emotion, the speeches, and the promises, and take a long hard look at the actual proposals and then think about what would happen economically and legally over time with each new law and policy.

McCoy R.
Bet you voted for AWOL George - didn't you?

Xoxiss- You and your archaic, ignorant views are what's wrong with this country. Wake up- it's not 1960.

When did Hawaii quit being a state?

Do the people who live there know that they are no longer citizens?

Mr Obama was born in Hawaii. All of the spin you can spew will not change that fact.

Hawaii didn't BECOME a state until August, 1959... last to enter the union.. rofl... I bet you cannot give me CartObama's birth date in 10 seconds... counting... LOLOL

1961 is his birth year, what's your point?

John McCain is the candidate not of "American birth", he was born in the Panama Canal Zone. Yet, that is a really ignorant response. Let's stay on topic.

Try this if you want to know the date Obama was born: Google search. You will not believe anything you are told. Then take his age and count backwards from this year. Geesh.

What we have here folks is the classic wingnut. These are the fools who seemingly control our discourse and why we can't ever get anything done in this country.

Idiots like this poster have watched one John Wayne movie too many and that's how their worldview is shaped. They'd rather bluster, bloviate, and bully people thaen to sit down, talk, and hammer out a real direction for this nation.

This post stands as an example of why this nation needs change and new direction. For far too long they have driven wedges between people. They pride themselves on dividing people, rather than uniting them. For the wingnuts, it is about ideology first and country second.

Where on earth did you get the idea he's not of American birth. He couldn't run for president if he hadn't been born in the USA!

Last time I looke Obama was born in Hawaii. His birth certificate was posted and verified to be authentic on several web sites if you care to look We will wit for you to catch up

Xoxiss---Not of American birth????????? Hawaii is part of the USA. Shows how little you know and how uninformed you are!!! Where in the world do you get your information, certainly not from research----maybe from a talk show?!?!

Norseman must think that the first 7 presidents were not born in the United States because the US did not become a country until 1776 so with that logic the first born US president was, drum roll please.

*Martin Van Buren Born: On December 5, 1782 in Columbia, New York*
*Technically he was the first president born in the United States*

Really the problem is more with McCain.

The law states that only those natural born citizens what means you have to be born in the US. McCain was born in Panama, so McCain is more at an issue of this law then Obama is.

Link

True but this argument really is empty for both camps. The law differentiates between a natural born citizen and a naturalized citizen. Both Obama and McCain were immediately recognized as natural born citizens on birth, they did not have to petition for naturalization.

As such, the issue is mute for both candidates.

I agree Axel,

Was just pointing that it was more of an issue for McCain he did hire some laywers to check it just in case. So it does show he was alittle afraid of it or someone in his camp was.

One of McCain's mental shortcomings is that the war is not over for him. I would urge him to go to the VA and seek out professional help.

Meanwhile I will vote for Obama.

hey waterboy... glad to know you are voting for CartObama .... folks like you will made him feel more secure! for a while LOL